Suzi Poole MA, MBACP (Accred) Individual and Couples Therapy

About me

Hello, and welcome to my counselling page. There are times when issues just keep circling round and we might feel stuck, or when a crisis happens and we feel overwhelmed. Counselling can help to rebalance us and find some sense of moving forward safely. I work with individuals and also offer couples counselling. I am based in Shalford, 1 mile from Guildford centre, Surrey. I am also a trained hypnotherapist.

I have many years of experience and offer a safe, non-judgemental and confidential space for you to make sense of the problems you may be facing right now. I aim to help you find ways of coping better with the present and to resolve issues that may be stopping you moving forward to a more fulfilled way of living.

I understand there are many different issues that we might need help with and am experienced at working with a wide range of complex situations including depression, bereavement, anger management, low self esteem, anxiety, abuse, relationship issues, divorce, phobias and stress. I also have particular experience in working with people who have suffered domestic violence and sexual abuse, and with adults who were abused in childhood.

My training is in Integrative Humanistic therapy, which means that emphasis is placed on building a warm, respectful, safe and therapeutic relationship where you feel able to look at difficult issues. It also means I draw upon a number of different approaches in order to help you to get the most out of your counselling time and to reach your goals. This might be CBT techniques, Solution focused or creative work depending on what you are wanting to achieve from counselling. As well as facing the painful, sad and destructive emotions within, it is also good to reach out for humour and laughter to help us find our way through troubling times.

I have specialised training in the 'Rewind Technique' which can be a quick and effective way of dealing with the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the present, as a result of emotional, physical or sexual trauma in the past.

I am also a qualified Hypnotherapist and find that this can be a really helpful and quick way to reduce and overcome certain fears and phobias. I also hold a certificate in CBT (cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and can draw on this method as a useful tool for some people.

I have worked for many years in a multi-cultural environment and with people whose first language is not English. Previously, I worked and lived abroad in a number of countries over a period of years and this helps me to bring a friendly and open approach to my client work, with a real sense of the uniqueness of each person I see.

I have experience of working with children, counselling in a school setting, as well as counselling young adults in a University setting.

Experience of working with sexuality and also with people who have transgender issues

Couples CoachingI am also trained in working with couples who would like to focus on their relationship issues. My approach is to make a safe environment where the relationship - the joining of the couple - can be heard without prejudice and can be healed in whatever way is right for the relationship.

I think it important to create a safe space where no one feels blamed, instead where feelings and problems can be heard safely and both parties feel supported. Seeking couples counselling can sometimes feel more daunting for one partner than the other and so I would like to assure you that I will not 'take sides'.

Gaining a deeper understanding of how we relate with our partners, and how we learned to relate through our own personal family history, can often be a helpful way of finding a way to communicate better. With this awareness conflicts can often be identified quicker and therefore resolved.

Sometimes life events get in the way and we forget to nourish the relationship, which then loses strength and potentially dies. If that is happening to you then please feel free to get in touch to see if your relationship can be nurtured with couples counselling and relationship coaching. If it needs to end we can work on how this can be done in the best way for both of you and any family that might be affected.

I also offer couples counselling and work with couples at any stage of their relationship - pre marriage, married, or seeking separation or divorce. LBGT couples are of course also welcome. Please call or email for more details.

My private practice is based in a dedicated, calm and private log cabin in the garden of my home in Shalford, Surrey, under 5 mins from Shalford station and 1 mile from Guildford town centre, with easy access to the A3. There is plenty of free parking outside.

I am an Accredited member of the BACP and abide by their ethics

Training, qualifications & experience

MA Hons in French & International Relations, University of Aberdeen

FdA in Integrative Humanistic Counselling, University of Greenwich, Commendation

Therapies offered

Fees

I offer short or long term counselling, so that means you can come for two or three sessions or for much longer, according to your needs.

£55 per session for up to 60 minutes for individuals£75 per session for up to 60 minutes for couples counselling and relationship therapy

£100 per session for up to 90 minutes for couples counselling and relationship therapy

Some concessions available for low income £35

Further information

Please don't be hesitant to ring and see if counselling with me may be helpful.

Ring me on my mobile 07411 424175 or text me or send me an email

If you get the answer machine please leave a message saying when is a good time to ring you back. I will get back to you as soon as I can, and we can have a confidential conversation about your situation.

I offer skype counselling for those unable to attend in person and have a number of clients who live abroad who like to use Skype.